Course description
This course provides an understanding of the principles and practical applications of some of the main analytical techniques found in a Forensic laboratory.
Our objective is to develop an understanding of a wide range of techniques, including microscopy and X-ray and chemical techniques; to examine their practical application and the interpretation of their results; to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques and their use in the identification and characterisation of materials.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
- A graduate who is new to the field of forensic analysis
- A graduate employed in materials science, failure analysis or quality assurance
- Requires appropriate degree or experience.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you will learn
The practical approach followed in this course equips you to plan your own materials-based investigations and to evaluate the work of others. The capabilities and limitations of the different methods are discussed and while forensic examples are used to illustrate the techniques they can be equally well applied to other aspects of material science.
Training Course Content
Core content
- Laboratory accreditation and standard operating procedures
- X-ray diffraction (XRD)
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
- Electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-analysis
- Optical microscopy
- Spectroscopic methods: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy.
- Mass spectrometry (including ICP-MS)
- Chromatographic and other separation methods: e.g. GC, GC-MS HPLC
- DNA analysis and forensic genomics
- Isotope analysis and carbon dating
- Radiography
- Hyperspectral imaging
- Proteomics
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Course delivery details
Course structure
This two week course covers the theoretical background of a range of analytical techniques through lectures, workshops, and directed study, and includes 3 days of laboratory practical sessions and demonstration.
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Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We have many world-class, large-scale facilities, including our own global research airport, which offers a unique environment for transformational education...